"Styrofoam" is actually a brand name, but my take on it is that polystyrene has different grades of stiffness. Don't know who the better retailers are.

So, for mosaic work I need really stiff balls or does it matter?

(Anyone wanna field that one???)

LOL...ahem...

OK. What I have used is polystyrene balls, the kind made up of little tiny white balls like they fill beanbags with, molded together into a larger ball. They have a hard smooth surface, not the crumbly kind. GEII works beautifully with stained glass on this, haven't tried any other combination.

Having done the research, I think Molecular...shoot...Molecular something is the best source. I'll go look that up and be back...

Roni

It took me a few minutes, but I found it. Here tis:

Here is a link that might be useful: they've got balls!

I have used both and havent had an issue with either one. As long as you dont use glue that melts the styrofoam.

good contact on styro can be a problem - because it's not a solid surface. The teeny points of "fuzzy" ,,, stuff? are easiy rubbed off so it can make it difficult to insure a good bond. But I think if that were a huge problem you could cover styro in masking tape to create that solid surface... it all depends on the grades of materials too, I'm sure it varies widely

Thanks ladies, I will just go with buying them online as suggested to know what the good balls to play with are then later on I will be able to compare balls for quality based on the ones I already have!

;)

I did a couple styro balls this summer. No problem with them,just had to use LOT of GEII.

Maria

Jeff, you're KILLING ME!!!!! lmao

hehe

ok, i'll stop. Feel more comfortable with what I will do with my balls now that you ladies have helped me :D

sorry, couldn't resist..

I don't know what color you were planning, but I hope your balls aren't blue! (too far?)

oh geez...
I do not know you people.

BAMA- who are you kidding LOL You are ONE of us!!

Eklypz - did you tell your friends you are exchanging balls with a bunch of Women?????????

Maria

I am going to blog about it :) I am used to it though, pretty much all the stuff I like is "women" crafts it seems like. My mosaic teacher told me I was the first guy he ever taught for about 2 years heh.

Hmmm, blue balls may work for another project I have a pretty good idea how I want my balls to look for this one. don't want to give away too much but think I will have them raised up!

(you should see some of the stuff I deleted I was worried went too far lol)

bringing me to tears LOL

I use both all the time. You can coat both with rigid
wrap, (plaster bandaging with mesh in it)
and then add a layer of thinset.

OR just do the thinset.
It's best if there is a layer of at least thinset.
I can throw these on the garage floor and no dents occur.
Done this way they are suitable for outside use too.